British lead way

SAILING/Flying 15 World Championships: The opening session of the Subaru Flying 15 World Championship got under way on Dublin Bay yesterday with the first two races of the pre-event series.

The two races tested the 99-boat fleet in light and fresh conditions with British dinghy ace Richard Estaugh and Tim Harper proving the most consistent taking second and third to lead overnight.

The class last sailed this event at the National Yacht Club 11 years ago and this year's fleet is no less competitive and bigger than 1992.

Best of the Irish yesterday was Strangford's Darren Martin and Simon Murray who had a 14th and a fourth place to end day one in sixth place. The Whiterock club sailors ended last year's world championship in Durban in a creditable 11th place overall and although they have only raced in two major events this year so far, qualified for this championship on equal points with top scorer Seán Craig and Stephen Boyle.

Their mixed placings was typical of many in the fleet and several notable home crews finished lower down the ranks. Next best is 1995 Fireball world champions John Lavery and David O'Brien in eighth overall.

Irish National champion Justin Burke was one of several man-overboards incidents during the second race. Craig and Boyle, tipped as Irish favourites, ended day one in 10th place and well inside the leading group.

"It's going to be very different in the worlds, longer races - three hours in a single race per day as opposed to two one and a half hour races this week," he said.